How does your cervical mucus change during the cycle?
Infertile phase (before the ovulation phase)
Following the menstrual period there may be several dry (no sensation, no wetness) days. These days may be absent in short cycles and numerous in long cycles. A feeling of dryness or a positive sensation of nothingness at the vulva will be experienced. There will be no visible mucus.
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The fertile phase
In the time closer to ovulation time (usually in the middle of cycle) cervical mucus will be felt outside the vagina. At first it will give a sensation of moistness or stickiness and will appear in small amounts: white or creamy-coloured. On finger testing, the mucus will hold its shape and break easily.
The mucus goes through a transitional phase where increasing amounts of cloudy mucus secretion may be observed. It may be slightly stretchy on finger testing, producing a wetter sensation at the vulva.
As the estrogen levels continue to rise with approaching ovulation, the mucus will become more profuse and there may be up to a tenfold increase in volume. It will give a sensation of lubrication or slipperiness at the vulva.
The appearance will be similar to that of raw egg white: thin, watery and transparent. On finger testing this highly fertile mucus may stretch for several inches before it breaks.
Fertile mucus maintains the life of the sperm, nourishes it and allows it to pass freely through the cervix. In fertile mucus, sperm may live for up to three days; in rare circumstances for five days or even longer.
Peak (Key) day
Peak day denotes the LAST day on which this highly fertile-type slippery, transparent, stretchy mucus is either seen or felt. It can coincide with ovulation, but is more likely to be followed by ovulation within 1 day (85% of women) or 2 (a further 10 % of women).
The most fertile state is when peak symptoms occur just before ovulation, as this ensures that fresh, healthy sperm are ready to meet a fresh, healthy egg if conception is attempted.
After the peak day, two days are allowed for ovulation to occur and one more day for the life of the egg (8-24 hours).
Post-ovulatory, Completely Infertile Phase
During the post-ovulatory phase, following peak-day the slippery sensation is lost and there will be a relatively abrupt return to stickiness or dryness again. This subjective symptom reflects the presence of progesterone, which thickens the mucus again, forming a plug at the cervix acting as an impenetrable barrier to sperm.
The amount and quality of mucus will vary from woman to woman and also from one cycle to the next. A woman should be alert to any changes in sensation and to even relatively small amounts of mucus.
If a woman is finding difficulty detecting mucus externally, it is often recognized more easily after exercise or a bowel movement. It may also help to use the Kegel exercise or a slight bearing-down action to expel any mucus.
MUCUS CHECKING
The easiest routine is to check the mucus on each visit to the toilet. This ensures that you are checking frequently, so you are aware of any sudden changes.
It's preferable to use your fingers, not toilet paper, as the toilet paper will absorb moisture and may give a distorted reading. It's also important to check the mouth of the vagina, not the walls (which are always moist). If you find it difficult to tell the difference between mucus and vaginal secretion, you can do the solubility test.
Dip a sample of mucus (or secretion) into some water. If it is curvical mucus, it will form a blob and sink, whereas vaginal secretion will dissolve.
Frequent checking ensures that sudden changes are observed. It also means that when sexual excitement initiates lubrication, thus confusing mucus detection, a recent reading will still give reliable information.
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| Signs Of Infertility |
Morning intercourse can be dangerous if you do not want to conceive. This is because the change to fertile mucus could have occurred during the night, Once you are already aroused and lubricating, this check cannot be made. But if you want to become pregnant and you feel some sensations in the morning that you think could be due to ovulation then have sex by all means.
Pelvic-floor exercise (also called Kegel exercise) can help here if you don't want to get up. The repeated tightening and relaxing of the muscles surrounding the vagina (such is done when trying to prevent the flow of urine) will help to push any mucus down to the vaginal opening. It will also help to expel other fluids, such as semen. To find out more, you can check out Signs Of Infertility.
